Cameron ready as Cats prepare for AFL premiership tilt

CATS star Jeremy Cameron is deep into preparations for his second AFL Grand Final but will be less responsive to messages this time.

Geelong won through to the season’s ultimate game with a 71-point demolition of Brisbane in the Preliminary Final, and will face Sydney at the MCG this Saturday, September 24.

The Cats held an open training session on Monday this week, which saw hundreds of devoted fans flock to GMHBA Stadium to cheer on their heroes.

Max Holmes, who was subbed out of the Preliminary Final with an apparent hamstring injury, jogged several laps of the stadium to universal applause from the stands.

Cameron’s first Grand Final was with former club the GWS Giants in 2019, and he said he would use his experiences in the leadup then to help him get ready now.

The Cats had a big turnout for their open training session.

“It was very unknown, the first time coming into it. I was a bit younger. It’s the little things throughout the week that all build up: there’s so many events you have to do, how you’re getting to the ‘G, you’re sorting out tickets, replying to everyone – I think I replied to absolutely everyone throughout the week last time, which in itself it actually takes a bit of a toll.

“So I will get back to everyone, but it’ll probably be after the Grand Final this year; hopefully celebrating.

“There’s little things like that, they all add up. Last time I got to the game, I was a little bit tired on the Friday beforehand, so I’ll tweak a few little things.

“The week’s just so exciting, it’s good to have the fans back, it’s going to be great to be in front of a packed-out MCG again, and hopefully we get a good day for it, weather-wise.”

He said his fitness was “completely fine” and Geelong had good momentum leading into the Grand Final.

Max Holmes tests out his hamstring with a jog around the boundary, which was greeted with huge applause.

“I think that’s what makes it so exciting; everyone’s really hungry. We’ve got guys like Joel [Selwood] and Mitch [Duncan] and Hawk [Tom Hawkins], Isaac [Smith], who have been there and won them before, and then you’ve got guys who haven’t got one before. It’s a really good mix, I reckon.”

Cameron said he hoped to see as many Cats fans as possible in Melbourne at tomorrow’s (Friday, September 23) Grand Final parade, which will, for the first time, partially travel along the Yarra River.

“That’s going to be interesting, I believe there might be boats involved… I did speak to Paddy [Patrick Dangerfield] about taking our own boat, but I don’t think we will. It’d be hard to park at the ‘G, wouldn’t it?”